Guides › Online Marketplaces › Bought From an Overseas Website: Your Rights
Bought from an Overseas Website: Your Rights
If you buy from a seller based abroad, your rights might be different from buying in the UK. Check the seller's terms for how to complain. If you get stuck, the UK International Consumer Centre can advise. Paying by card or PayPal gives you a better chance of getting money back.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Buying from Abroad
Overseas Sellers
Your rights might be different if you bought from abroad. Check the seller's terms and conditions for how to complain, and if that stalls, get advice from the UK International Consumer Centre (UKICC). Try ADR before court: a judge usually expects it. source
Payment Protection
Paying by Card or PayPal
Paying by card or PayPal gives you a better chance of recovering money, especially with overseas sellers. Citizens Advice advises avoiding bank transfers. source
Platform Protection
Online platforms such as eBay, Vinted and Amazon Marketplace may offer extra protection through their own dispute processes. Check the platform's terms, because they vary and may have deadlines. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 180 daysPayPal Buyer ProtectionItem not received: 180 days from payment. Not as described: 30 days from delivery or 180 days from payment, whichever is sooner. Escalate to a claim within 20 days of opening the dispute.
- 6 yearsLegal action in England and WalesGenerally up to 6 years after you paid (5 years in Scotland)
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check where the seller is based (look at the terms, returns address and company details).
Step 2 of 5
Complain in writing using the seller's process.
Step 3 of 5
If you paid by card or PayPal, open a claim within the time limits.
Step 4 of 5
Get advice from the UK International Consumer Centre.
Step 5 of 5
Report misleading sellers to Trading Standards through Citizens Advice.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Card Provider or PayPal
If you paid by card or PayPal and the seller will not put it right.
Trading Standards, Through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service
To report a seller or marketplace, or if you are not sure of your rights.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
A .co.uk address or prices in pounds do not always mean the seller is in the UK.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/Solve-an-ongoing-consumer-problem Checked 13 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/citizens-advice-warns-buyers-need-to-beware-as-thousands-of-people-report-being-ripped-off-on-online-marketplaces Checked 12 October 2026
- saga.co.uk/magazine/money/spending/consumer-rights/what-are-your-rights-when-buying-second-hand-goods Checked 12 October 2026